I’m soooo confused..........

[nodepositnoretu]

Wife and I have the house going on the market in the spring. We expect to full time shortly there after. Now here is the tough part for me. I own a 2003 Dodge Dually 4x4 and only has 10,000 miles on the motor. The truck has 100,000 and is shiny and nice looking . No pollution stuff.

My initial thought was to get a preowned 5th wheel about 40 foot with 4/5 slides.

I read and have head many times full timers trading in their 5th for a A for what reasons I don’t know. Our general thoughts are to stay the summer in AZ and the Summer someplace else. We are not going driving every two weeks.

I know I know it’s a personal decision, 5 vs A. But why does it need to be so hard? I have had the truck since new I’m kind of fond of it and would rather not sell it. I do have a old Toyota as a toad but the manual says do not tow it flat.

So those with years and years of wisdom and a multitude of mistakes under their belt , please feel free to help me down the path to full time glory.

All others feel free to blow smoke up my butt??

[Hammerboy]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

donn0128 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That 2003 DRW has a RAWR 9350#......and 12,000# GVWR
SO wet pin weight from 5vr will nt be an issue

Sorry OB, I believe your confused. Heck, my 2007 Ram Dually only had a 11,500 GVWR
Now, if the OP had a 2013 instead of a 2003 you might be right.

DD just bought a 2004 Ram DRW 12,200# GVWR.

YEP......

The point here is to go look at your door sticker if that's where they put them then.

Dan

[Old-Biscuit]

rhagfo wrote:

donn0128 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That 2003 DRW has a RAWR 9350#......and 12,000# GVWR
SO wet pin weight from 5vr will nt be an issue

Sorry OB, I believe your confused. Heck, my 2007 Ram Dually only had a 11,500 GVWR
Now, if the OP had a 2013 instead of a 2003 you might be right.

DD just bought a 2004 Ram DRW 12,200# GVWR.

YEP......

[rhagfo]

donn0128 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That 2003 DRW has a RAWR 9350#......and 12,000# GVWR
SO wet pin weight from 5vr will nt be an issue

Sorry OB, I believe your confused. Heck, my 2007 Ram Dually only had a 11,500 GVWR
Now, if the OP had a 2013 instead of a 2003 you might be right.

DD just bought a 2004 Ram DRW 12,200# GVWR.

[valhalla360]

With a good reliable truck and your planned use, a 5er makes far more sense.

Even on the move, if you have a toad, the MH option isn't significantly easier to deal with.

[valhalla360]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Used TT, like used cars, break down and require maintenance. That is just a fact of life and something you should plan for.

Funny thing is new TT/NH break down and require maintenance also.

They may or may not be covered by warranty but you have to take it to them and they decide when they get around to it.

[Kavoom]

We are anticipating retirement and looking. We like Class A's but then you got to get a toad and suddenly you are looking at a 100K plus etc. Whereas, we just saw a new Puma fiver that meets our needs for 27K (286 rbss). I can get a really nice 3500 Ram either low miles or new for 45K AND have something to drive once we set up. So, I'm looking at 75K and we have everything we want.

You, in your situation, don't even have to get a truck.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, if you are only going to live in New York in the Summer and in Arizona in the Winter, why not just buy a cheap house or a park model. If that's the case forget the tow vehicle and fifth wheel. Now if you plan on seeing the country from coast to coast and Alaska, then buy a trailer.

[Veebyes]

newman fulltimer wrote:
A breaks down your in a hotel truck breaks down you still have your home

That is the biggie. Also, check the numbers but you seem to be wanting to put way to much tail on the dog.

Besides weight issues a 40' 5er is going to severely limit your camping options, particularly in SPs & NPs.

[ScottG]

OP, look up the info yourself if not sure but your on the right track.

[donn0128]

ScottG wrote:

donn0128 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That 2003 DRW has a RAWR 9350#......and 12,000# GVWR
SO wet pin weight from 5vr will nt be an issue

Sorry OB, I believe your confused. Heck, my 2007 Ram Dually only had a 11,500 GVWR
Now, if the OP had a 2013 instead of a 2003 you might be right.

OB is correct and the OP should have around 4900# of load carrying capacity.
Specs for 2004, same for 2003.

Y'all need to go read. The OPs truck has a 12,000 pound towing rating
Sorry Scott the OP IF he is lucky will have a real world net csrgo csrrying capacity closer to 3000 pounds

[theoldwizard1]

Used TT, like used cars, break down and require maintenance. That is just a fact of life and something you should plan for.

[ScottG]

donn0128 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That 2003 DRW has a RAWR 9350#......and 12,000# GVWR
SO wet pin weight from 5vr will nt be an issue

Sorry OB, I believe your confused. Heck, my 2007 Ram Dually only had a 11,500 GVWR
Now, if the OP had a 2013 instead of a 2003 you might be right.

OB is correct and the OP should have around 4900# of load carrying capacity.
Specs for 2004, same for 2003.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Only you will know which is right for you and it will likely take a couple years on the road to determine that.

Adding a 5er or TT to an existing truck will be substantially cheaper than buying a Class A.

Spend the least amount of money you can now when you are getting started.

[nodepositnoretu]

Thanks everyone, I tend to overthink things ,try to estimate the pros and cons. For sure if $$ was no object I’d have one of those big ole buses and the matching SUV in tow. But alas I was born handsome(yuk) not rich, lol so I’m doing the best I can.

Actually very hot on the idea of a Keystone Alpine 37 Fl I like the bath and a half ,I like the front living room, has 3000 pin ,13,500 dry. I know the weight police are going to freak out but last week I had a job to do and hooked up a 5 yard trailer went out to the compost facility and loaded on 7 yards of wet compost at 4000 per yard.,truck actually had plenty of pulling power. I kept ia big space cushion between me and others. So I’m thinking 15,000 5th should be ok. I know I’m at the outer limits of the published ratings..

[beemerphile1]

You are the one making it hard/complicated. Buy what you want and go for it, what others choose to do is irrelevant.